The Rugby World Cup has moved into high gear and so has the REAL Tauranga Festival, with a huge line-up of events planned for The Strand over the next three days.
Festivities get under way today with a series of shows designed to entertain young kids during the school holidays.
It's All About The Kids will be staged at 9.45am and 12.45pm today and tomorrow at the waterfront alongside The Strand water feature and grassed area.
Eleven year-old Tauranga Intermediate school girl Shavaugn Kinsella will take centre stage and perform alongside Kiwi Kenn, who sings about safety, motivation and good values for children aged 2-6.
New Zealand's own Funky Monkeys and The Polkadots entertainment group will then wow the young crowd with their catchy music, song and dance routines.
Each evening a range of New Zealand and Australian musicians will take to the stage to perform for an adult audience.
Tonight's gig is REAL NZ Bands featuring The Phoenix Foundation, The Thomas Oliver Band, and Nine Mile Stone.
Tomorrow night The Killer Queen Show featuring the Queen tribute band direct from Australia will belt out all of the big hits, and is sure to draw a big crowd.
There will be plenty happening on Saturday also, with a day-long food, art, and craft market plus children's entertainment.
And from 10am until 3pm a range of top local talent will perform on The Strand's temporary stage including Carla and her Rhythmz Dance Co, Rhythm Kids, Ceroc Dancers, Shaolin Kempo, Tai Chi School and Grant with Kung Fu Panda, plus acts from Greenpark Primary School and Otumoetai Intermediate.
As the sun goes down on Saturday night people can relax and listen to the beautiful voice of Waikato-born songstress Anna Hawkins.
Her Touch of Class concert begins at 4pm and will feature renditions of many popular songs which have seen her become a favourite performer at festivals all over the country.
Event co-ordinator Melanie Cottingham says the stage area for this weekend's concerts was erected yesterday and has really added to the atmosphere on The Strand.
"We've covered all demographics including kids who are on school holidays," she says.
"There's a lot of interest in all the shows so I hope people come out and support them."
WHAT AND WHERE
What: REAL Tauranga Festival
Where: The Strand
Time: Events running daily from today until Saturday
Cost: Visit realtauranga.co.nz for ticket prices to individual events